Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-04-07
AEeuLAR EXERCISE.


of Brain and Physical Forces.
~ Second onlyFto the nourishment Of
The blood by food is the regulation of
the action of all the vital organs by
exercise. That exercise which is taken
spasmodically and at uncertain inter-
walls ism urious, rather than beneficial.
IJudicioris Sexercise for brain workers
is that which causes the blood to flow
freely, and affords a change of position
and action to the cramped and wearied
muscles, in addition to some slight in
terest calculated to insure change of
thought and consequent relaxation to
tired brain. 1t should be taken out of
doors and in the sunshine if possible;
because sunlight is an important source
of physical vigor.
Failing of open-air exercise, absolute
purity of the surrounding atmosphere is
imperative. because its respiration fur
nishes to the blood that quantity of
oxygen necessary to the process of de-
structiye assimilation, which restores
vitality and tones the nervous system.
The condition of the nervous system
affects the secretion of the gastric juices
and of course its. deficiency occasions
impaired digestion. When one has
been writing several hours in, q badly
ventilated room, or in one lighted with
gas, exercise in pure air is required to
supply the blood with oxygen. and thus
prepare the way for the proper nutri-
ton Of the brain, nerves and muscles
from theme supply of food.
With the brain worker. whether he
be literary man.. lawyer, speaker or
merchant, exercise replaces that degree
Of manual labor upon which the health
of the average Nottingham depends;
but he should never be led astray by
the idea that violent physical effort can
in any way counterfeit the WEAKNESS
arising from excessive mental toll. Ex-
ercise to the point Of fatigue is suicidal
10 brain workers; it is simply the kill
ing of half-dead man. The best time
Tor gentle outdoor exercise seems TO be-
aboutlmid- afternoon. if it can be taken
without exposure 20 excessive heat; the
sunlight has chemical properties which
act tonically upon the system. Early
morning exercise has been favored, but
it is as much to be reprobated as early
mental or physical labor. because at
that time, vitality is at its lowest ebb,
and it needs stimulation rather than
further depletion; certainly, none but
the gentlest exercise should be taken
until the exhausted system has been
supplied with abundant nourishment.
Not only should we exercise properly.
but we should live temporarily; we
must not make exercise subservient to
grossncss of living, FOR we will suffer.
rs did the ancient Greeks and Romans.
from premature exhaustion of the
various forces Of the body. Exer-
else is. in short, the helping hand.
stretched forth to assist and enliven
the various daily functions of the hui
man framework, whereas the other
condition is dragging it through the
mire. With the ancients, as it should
be with ourselves, age was obviously
held to be u relative affair. In those
days men OF mature years exercised
daily. in order 70 ward off old age.
With them, also, the exercise of the
muscles, and consequently the whole
body. was simply part of their educa-
ton. At that period the whole art of
education was embodied in mems san1
in corpOre sa7ao. This soundness pro-
ceeded from the mutual balancing Of
the two forces, the physical and men.
tai, which could alone result from the
perfect harmony in the working OF the
several parts of the human frame.
1t is gratifying to note that the masses
Of the American people are realizing
the benefits of healtiiful exercise, and it
is great satisfaction for this genera.
ton to know that the result will be the
production of a more perfect race OF
men, both intellectually and physically
endowed with the. glory of perfect man.
hood, a sound and vigorous mind in .
healthy body.-Bosto1s Budget.